KRG urges coalition to support Peshmerga Air Force: Official

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan24) – An official at the Ministry of Peshmerga revealed on Tuesday that the Kurdistan Regional Government’s (KRG) plans to upgrade the ministry and the Peshmerga forces and form Peshmerga Air Force.

Brigadier General Hazhar Omer, the Director of Coordination and Relations for the Ministry of Peshmerga Affairs, told Kurdistan24 that Kurdistan Region needs a stronger national army for the post-Islamic State (IS) as the Region heads towards referendum and independence.

"The anti-IS Global Coalition has expressed willingness to support our efforts," the Peshmerga official said, stating that coalition would also fund the Peshmerga projects in future.

High advisory teams of three main coalition members are to support the KRG’s report initiative, he added.

Brigadier General Omer stated that Reform and Re-organize Working Group that consists of representatives of Ministry of Peshmerga, US, British and Germany military advisors have held nine meetings in the past three months to develop and finalize a reform plan.

The meetings resulted in a comprehensive 35-point reform plan in the Ministry of Peshmerga which will be submitted to the Kurdistan Region President Masoud Barzani for endorsement following further discussion with the Council of Ministers, Brigadier General Omer explained.

The Peshmerga official is optimistic about the successful implementation of the reform plan, emphasizing that an independent state requires a strong Peshmerga force to protect and defend the nation.

One of the proposals that have been submitted to the Coalition is the need for formation of Peshmerga Air Force, Brigadier General Omer said, stating that “We need helicopters to transport wounded Peshmerga fighters and we also need attacking helicopters.”